Published: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 3:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 3:12 p.m.

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday morning kicked off its fundraising campaign to renovate the closed City Auditorium at Tuscawilla Park into the 700-seat Ocala Cultural Center as a home for the symphony by announcing it had already received $775,000 in contributions — $700,000 of which came from one generous, but anonymous, donor.

“Instead of this building being bulldozed in the name of progress, it’s going to be a keystone for the future of Tuscawilla Park,” former Ocala Mayor Gerald Ergle said as he stood in front of the auditorium under Tuesday morning’s warming sun. “We need to get everybody in this community to be a part of it.”

While most Ocalans cannot afford to write a magnanimous $700,000 check, everyone is being asked to join in the revitalization project by giving whatever is within their means to help the symphony meet its $2.25 million goal. Once it reaches the $2 million mark, construction will begin.

The hope is to have the doors open in October 2014, said symphony Chairman William Nassal.

The symphony board of directors and its Tuscawilla Heritage Committee is going to make it easy to give. White cans will be popping up in 125 locations around the community silently asking for contributions to keep the orchestra’s music flowing and the art community flourishing.

“Our goal is a minimum of $1,000 per can over the year to 18 month’s time,” said Tom Connolley, of 107.4 FM-WITG Classic Hits radio, who is spearheading the “Pennies for the Performing Arts” campaign.

Of course, there will be other ways of contributing for not only individuals but businesses. There will be various levels of recognition for the gifts that are given.

“It’s about more than the Ocala Symphony,” Cindy Van Heyde, the symphony’s president said. “We are blessed and privileged to be the lead organization on this project, but this is for all the artistic groups in this area to have a home to perform, even if it’s once or twice a year.”

On Tuesday morning, Mayor Kent Guinn and former Mayor Craig Curry shared their youthful experiences at the auditorium. Guinn recalled fondly that his seventh grade science fair was held in the auditorium. Curry’s experience was slightly different.

“I have some pretty bad memories of this facility,” Curry said to the surprise of those listening.

He said proms and dances used to be held in the auditorium.

“I could never get my dance card filled up,” he related, tongue-in-cheek.

Curry listed three reasons why the symphony’s efforts are important to the community.

One is the music.

“It’s just beautiful,” Curry said.

A second is to preserve the auditorium, which is a piece of Ocala’s rich history.

And the third is to showcase the symphony and the arts center when trying to persuade company officials to locate their businesses in Ocala.

Van Heyde is hoping people will share their stories about the City Auditorium on the website: www.artsatTuscawilla.org.

And while visiting the website, consider a donation. Or mail a check to: Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Arts at Tuscawilla, 820 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471. Recognition will be given for various levels of giving.

The Grass Roots Level is for donations up to $1,000. Those who contribute up to $99 will receive a commemorative pin; from $100-$499 an engraved brick will be placed in the walkway and garden area; and for $500, a marble brick for the same area will be given.

An engraved seat in the auditorium will be offered to those who contribute $501-$1,000.

Those who give $1,001 to $4,999 will receive a signed and numbered print of Jessi Miller’s “Auditorium.”

The Founding Members’ Recognition Level of $5,000+ will be recognized with a plaque in the lobby and receive Founder’s Club membership for one year, including VIP seating, prime meeting areas and access to special performances and events.

For donations at the $50,000+ level there will be naming opportunities that include the Founder’s Club lounge/board meeting space, the lobby, the stage, musician dressing rooms, green rooms, and the outdoor terrace and garden space.

And founding members will be encouraged to consider long-term renewals of their Founder’s Club status by donating $5,000+ for multiple years.

Maestro Matthew Wardell said the symphony will grow exponentially with having the auditorium as a venue for the musicians and the entire artistic community. He envisions various art groups, such as the ballet, being able to exhibit posters of its upcoming performances in the lobby of the auditorium along with other group’s upcoming events. He already has received requests to use the auditorium from the University of Florida’s Opera Theatre, the Insomniac Theatre Company Inc., the Performing Arts Conservatory, and the Heart of Florida Orff Chapter, which provides musical professional development workshops to elementary level teachers in Marion, Alachua and surrounding counties.

“This links everything together,” Wardell said.

Wardell said the symphony’s first performance was in the 14,000-square-foot City Auditorium in 1975, and the orchestra stayed a few years. But then it moved and has performed at various venues as sites became available. So, having the auditorium renovated is so welcomed.

<p>The Ocala Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday morning kicked off its fundraising campaign to renovate the closed City Auditorium at Tuscawilla Park into the 700-seat Ocala Cultural Center as a home for the symphony by announcing it had already received $775,000 in contributions — $700,000 of which came from one generous, but anonymous, donor.</p><p>“Instead of this building being bulldozed in the name of progress, it's going to be a keystone for the future of Tuscawilla Park,” former Ocala Mayor Gerald Ergle said as he stood in front of the auditorium under Tuesday morning's warming sun. “We need to get everybody in this community to be a part of it.”</p><p>While most Ocalans cannot afford to write a magnanimous $700,000 check, everyone is being asked to join in the revitalization project by giving whatever is within their means to help the symphony meet its $2.25 million goal. Once it reaches the $2 million mark, construction will begin.</p><p>The hope is to have the doors open in October 2014, said symphony Chairman William Nassal.</p><p>The symphony board of directors and its Tuscawilla Heritage Committee is going to make it easy to give. White cans will be popping up in 125 locations around the community silently asking for contributions to keep the orchestra's music flowing and the art community flourishing.</p><p>“Our goal is a minimum of $1,000 per can over the year to 18 month's time,” said Tom Connolley, of 107.4 FM-WITG Classic Hits radio, who is spearheading the “Pennies for the Performing Arts” campaign.</p><p>Of course, there will be other ways of contributing for not only individuals but businesses. There will be various levels of recognition for the gifts that are given.</p><p>“It's about more than the Ocala Symphony,” Cindy Van Heyde, the symphony's president said. “We are blessed and privileged to be the lead organization on this project, but this is for all the artistic groups in this area to have a home to perform, even if it's once or twice a year.”</p><p>On Tuesday morning, Mayor Kent Guinn and former Mayor Craig Curry shared their youthful experiences at the auditorium. Guinn recalled fondly that his seventh grade science fair was held in the auditorium. Curry's experience was slightly different.</p><p>“I have some pretty bad memories of this facility,” Curry said to the surprise of those listening.</p><p>He said proms and dances used to be held in the auditorium.</p><p>“I could never get my dance card filled up,” he related, tongue-in-cheek.</p><p>Curry listed three reasons why the symphony's efforts are important to the community.</p><p>One is the music.</p><p>“It's just beautiful,” Curry said.</p><p>A second is to preserve the auditorium, which is a piece of Ocala's rich history.</p><p>And the third is to showcase the symphony and the arts center when trying to persuade company officials to locate their businesses in Ocala.</p><p>Van Heyde is hoping people will share their stories about the City Auditorium on the website: www.artsatTuscawilla.org.</p><p>And while visiting the website, consider a donation. Or mail a check to: Ocala Symphony Orchestra, Arts at Tuscawilla, 820 E. Fort King St., Ocala, FL 34471. Recognition will be given for various levels of giving.</p><p>The Grass Roots Level is for donations up to $1,000. Those who contribute up to $99 will receive a commemorative pin; from $100-$499 an engraved brick will be placed in the walkway and garden area; and for $500, a marble brick for the same area will be given.</p><p>An engraved seat in the auditorium will be offered to those who contribute $501-$1,000.</p><p>Those who give $1,001 to $4,999 will receive a signed and numbered print of Jessi Miller's “Auditorium.”</p><p>The Founding Members' Recognition Level of $5,000+ will be recognized with a plaque in the lobby and receive Founder's Club membership for one year, including VIP seating, prime meeting areas and access to special performances and events.</p><p>For donations at the $50,000+ level there will be naming opportunities that include the Founder's Club lounge/board meeting space, the lobby, the stage, musician dressing rooms, green rooms, and the outdoor terrace and garden space.</p><p>And founding members will be encouraged to consider long-term renewals of their Founder's Club status by donating $5,000+ for multiple years.</p><p>Maestro Matthew Wardell said the symphony will grow exponentially with having the auditorium as a venue for the musicians and the entire artistic community. He envisions various art groups, such as the ballet, being able to exhibit posters of its upcoming performances in the lobby of the auditorium along with other group's upcoming events. He already has received requests to use the auditorium from the University of Florida's Opera Theatre, the Insomniac Theatre Company Inc., the Performing Arts Conservatory, and the Heart of Florida Orff Chapter, which provides musical professional development workshops to elementary level teachers in Marion, Alachua and surrounding counties.</p><p>“This links everything together,” Wardell said.</p><p>Wardell said the symphony's first performance was in the 14,000-square-foot City Auditorium in 1975, and the orchestra stayed a few years. But then it moved and has performed at various venues as sites became available. So, having the auditorium renovated is so welcomed.</p><p>“For us, it's almost a coming home,” Wardell said.</p><p><i>Contact Susan Latham Carr at 352-867-4156 or susan.carr@starbanner.com.</i></p>